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Three Days in Ella: Tea-Country Trails, Birdlife & Waterfalls

The source describes a three-day, two-night stay. Arrange the guided activities with Mr Thiwanka: the hotel guide leads the trails and birdwatching, and binoculars are provided for birdwatching. For the early Ella Rock…

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Travel inspiration for Three Days in Ella: Tea-Country Trails, Birdlife & Waterfalls

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

Three days in Newburgh Ella - The Tea Factory Resort by Browns Hotels & Resorts Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

The source describes a three-day, two-night stay. Arrange the guided activities with Mr Thiwanka: the hotel guide leads the trails and birdwatching, and binoculars are provided for birdwatching. For the early Ella Rock sunrise, the creator recommends reaching the viewpoint around 5:00–6:00 a.m. and taking breakfast from the hotel. The cycling outing to Kombukara Waterfall starts early; the described ride from Ella is about 8.5 km to the destination. For train timing, the creator mentions checking the RDMS app. The hotel also offers tea-factory access and two dining options, 1903 and Ella Valley Restaurant.

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Day 1 — Newburgh Ella, Tea-Country Views & Birdwatching

Settle into the former tea-factory resort and make time for its estate views and guided birdwatching. The creator describes the property as a three-day experience rather than a one-night stop. Birdwatching is offered through the estate, with binoculars provided; the birds are most active in the morning and evening.

  1. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Check in for the two-night stay at this tea-factory resort. The creator describes the converted factory setting, tea-estate surroundings, welcome drink, and views from the property.

  2. Ravana FallsRavana Falls, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Stop at Ravana Falls on the Ella–Wellawaya road, as the creator recommends. The video notes that water levels were low during the visit.

  3. Ella RockElla Rock, Ella, Sri Lanka

    From the resort, look toward Ella Rock, one of the landmarks pointed out in the property panorama. This is a view from the resort; the separate hike is planned for the next morning.

  4. Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka

    Adam’s Peak is identified in the resort panorama as a distant landmark. Treat this as a view from the property, not as an excursion from Ella.

  5. PoonagalaPoonagala, Sri Lanka

    Poonagala’s hills are among the named features visible from the resort. This item marks the distant panorama described, not a suggested transfer.

  6. NamunukulaNamunukula, Sri Lanka

    Namunukula is pointed out from the resort viewpoint. Keep this as a panorama stop at the hotel rather than adding an unsourced mountain excursion.

  7. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Join the resort’s estate birdwatching outing, moving through its tea plots with the supplied binoculars. The creator describes bird calls and sightings during the outing; morning and evening are noted as lively times.

  8. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Choose the 1903 restaurant for the buffet in the former factory setting. The creator mentions salads, mushroom soup, cake, and fruit among the meal options.

  9. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    The resort also has Ella Valley Restaurant, described as the à la carte option with outdoor dining. Choose it when you want to eat outside rather than have the buffet.

  10. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Spend the evening by the resort bonfire after dinner; the creator highlights the atmosphere of the fireside gathering.

Day 2 — Pekoe Trail Stage 15, Ella Rock & Tea-Making

Start early with the guided Pekoe Trail Stage 15 outing. The creator describes beginning by Makulella Bodhi, passing an aranya monastery, reaching Ella Rock, and descending toward Kithal Ella Railway Station. Respect the quiet around the meditation area. After returning to the resort, take lunch and visit the tea factory to see the production process. Check train timing with the RDMS app if coordinating with the railway station.

  1. Makulella BodhiMakulella Bodhi, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Meet the guide at Makulella Bodhi, identified as the starting point for the Stage 15 walk. The creator describes this section as part of the Pekoe Trail.

  2. Pekoe Trail Stage 15Pekoe Trail Stage 15, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Walk the guided Stage 15 section of the Pekoe Trail. The creator explains that it forms part of a much longer tea-country trail, with stages passing through tea-growing areas.

  3. Aranya Monastery on Pekoe Trail Stage 15Aranya Monastery, Pekoe Trail Stage 15, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Visit the aranya monastery on the trail quietly; the creator notes that monks meditate there and asks walkers not to disturb them.

  4. Ella RockElla Rock, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Continue to Ella Rock with the guide. The creator describes the summit as a sunrise viewpoint and recommends arriving around 5:00–6:00 a.m.; carry breakfast from the hotel for the summit stop.

  5. Kithal Ella Railway StationKithal Ella Railway Station, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Descend toward Kithal Ella Railway Station. The creator used this station on the return route and mentions the RDMS app for checking train running times.

  6. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Return to 1903 for the buffet lunch. The creator describes starting with soup and choosing from a broad buffet selection, with dessert and hot chocolate also mentioned.

  7. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Visit the resort’s tea factory after lunch to see the production process, including the rolling machines and the tea leaves being processed. The property is described as a former factory more than a century old.

Day 3 — Ella–Passara Cycling Route & Kombukara Waterfall

Set out early by bicycle toward Kombukara Waterfall. The described route follows the Ella–Passara road, passes Ballaketuwa, and goes through Hindagala Estate; the creator gives the distance from Ella to the waterfall as about 8.5 km. The waterfall is cold, clear, and reached by continuing uphill from the first small cascade.

  1. Ella–Passara RoadElla–Passara Road, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Begin the guided bicycle outing on the Ella–Passara road. The creator notes flowering trees along the route; the cycle outing is presented as the way to reach Kombukara Waterfall.

  2. BallaketuwaBallaketuwa, Sri Lanka

    Pass through Ballaketuwa on the cycling route toward the waterfall. The creator identifies it as a town along the way.

  3. Hindagala EstateHindagala Estate, Sri Lanka

    The route continues through Hindagala Estate on the way to Kombukara Waterfall. The creator describes crossing the estate on the bicycle outing.

  4. NarangalaNarangala, Sri Lanka

    Narangala is pointed out from the route as a visible mountain. The source mentions it as a view during the ride, not as a separate climb.

  5. Kombukara WaterfallKombukara Waterfall, Sri Lanka

    Cycle to Kombukara Waterfall, described as a tucked-away waterfall about 8.5 km from Ella. Leave the bicycles where the creator did, continue uphill past the first small cascade, and reach the main waterfall. The creator describes the water as clear and very cold.

  6. Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory ResortNewburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort, Ella, Sri Lanka

    Return to Newburgh Ella after the waterfall outing for the final morning of the two-night stay and checkout. The creator describes the three-day visit as the time needed to experience the resort activities.